ROCKFORD — The restructuring of Rockford’s economic development team has begun.

Mayor Larry Morrissey announced the hire Monday of Mark Williams as economic development manager.

Williams, who spent 11 years as the head of Growth Dimensions for Belvidere-Boone County, steps in as the city looks to replace two of its longtime community planners: Reid Montgomery, director of community and economic development, and Rob Lamb, industrial development manager. Both retired this spring.

Coupled with seven new aldermen on the 14-member City Council, officials are planning changes in the way the city recruits and retains business and plans for redevelopment.

Council members will start to hash out new goals and development strategies at their first retreat this weekend.

Williams adds a wealth of regional experience, Morrissey said.

“He’s extremely well-respected in the field. Now we’re looking to round out our team of development professionals and add talent that will support us from a long-range planning standpoint.”

In Morrissey’s third term, city developers and aldermen are refocusing on more engaged and coordinated planning.

“We need to be more collaborative with other agencies like Rockford public schools and Rock Valley College or the airport,” Morrissey said. “We have to do a better job coordinating all our respective plans to sell the product of Rockford.”

Aldermen have begun talks with Winnebago County Board members to find ways to work together — whether it’s joint development projects or something as simple as making sure nearby construction projects are coordinated to find cost savings.

Williams is excited about the energy in Rockford.

“I see a lot of investment opportunities,” he said. “With the city’s historic tax credits and river-edge zones, there’s opportunity. The city’s enterprise zones are an extremely important redevelopment tool.”

Williams, who has spent the past 23 years in economic development and regional planning, starts July 8.

Next on the docket is for Morrissey to appoint a permanent head of economic development to succeed Montgomery. That appointment has to be approved by the City Council.

Deputy Director Todd Cagnoni has been the interim director since Montgomery retired. Morrissey said he expects to nominate Cagnoni for the position but not until he gets feedback from the full City Council at upcoming retreats.